KNOXVILLE, Tennessee -- All the cross-training Alabama has done with its offensive linemen since spring football paid off Saturday.

It's probably going to come in handy over the next few weeks, too.

It wasn't a simple one-for-one switch when freshman left tackle Cam Robinson went down in Saturday's third quarter with a high ankle sprain. Leon Brown, who started the game at right guard, moved over to left tackle and redshirt freshman Bradley Bozeman, who filled in for Ryan Kelly at center in the past two games, entered for Brown.

"We think Leon is the next best left tackle," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "So, it's always been our plan that he would be the next left tackle if something happened to Cam Robinson. He practices there each and every week. You don't like to make double switches on the offensive line, but when it comes to left tackle it's a pretty important position."

The new arrangement made its debut on what was arguably Alabama's most important scoring drive of the game.

After Tennessee cut its lead to 10 midway through the third quarter, the Crimson Tide milked 5:33 off the clock on a 13-play drive to reclaim some control of a game that appeared to be slipping from its grip. Of the 76 yards Alabama gained, 57 came on the ground. Three of Alabama's four third-down conversions came on rushes.

"When Cam went down, there's a lot of options we had at offensive tackle," Kelly said. "For him to come out there and for Bozeman to come in and play right guard ... they both did a great job for us.

"That pays compliments to Coach (Mario) Cristobal for getting us prepared not only for the positions we focus on but for being better offensive linemen through all the different situations."

Sophomore Grant Hill, who filled in for an injured Austin Shepherd at right tackle last week, typically works behind Robinson at practice. Saban said another potential double switch would entail moving Shepherd to left tackle and Hill playing on the right side.

Two years removed from a season in which it started the same offensive line for all 14 of its games, Alabama has just one player, left guard Arie Kouandjio, who has played all of the first-team snaps.

Still, Kelly was upbeat and optimistic about the group's latest response to adversity.

"With help from Coach (Lane) Kiffin and all the threats that we have," Kelly said, "certainly it's a great time to play offensive line here."